U.S. patent application number 10/968232 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for aggregated program guide for download and view video on demand service.
Invention is credited to James M. Funk, Steve Shannon.
Application Number | 20060085826 10/968232 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36182311 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060085826 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Funk; James M. ; et
al. |
April 20, 2006 |
Aggregated program guide for download and view video on demand
service
Abstract
An aggregated program guide contains entries of programs
available for downloading and viewing including details such as
network location of the programs and download status. The guide
further contains information about viewing rights and is made
available for download from a network server different from content
servers on which the programs are available for download.
Inventors: |
Funk; James M.; (Menlo Park,
CA) ; Shannon; Steve; (Hillsborough, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL LLP
P.O. BOX 061080
WACKER DRIVE STATION, SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606-1080
US
|
Family ID: |
36182311 |
Appl. No.: |
10/968232 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/87 ;
348/E7.071; 725/109; 725/112; 725/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/2541 20130101;
H04N 21/47202 20130101; H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N 21/482
20130101; H04N 21/4627 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/087 ;
725/112; 725/039; 725/109 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/173 20060101
H04N007/173; G06F 3/00 20060101 G06F003/00; G06F 13/00 20060101
G06F013/00; H04N 5/445 20060101 H04N005/445 |
Claims
1. A video-on-demand (VOD) electronic program guide (EPG),
comprising metadata describing VOD content available for download
via the Internet to a VOD client from multiple disparate content
sources, one or more of which are unique from an Internet host of a
VOD system at which the EPG is made available for retrieval by the
VOD client, the metadata having been aggregated from content
providers associated with the VOD content and formatted according
to a common schema for presentation within the EPG.
2. The VOD EPG of claim 1, wherein the metadata includes pricing
information for downloading the VOD content to the VOD client.
3. The VOD EPG of claim 2, wherein the metadata further includes
some or all of: titles for the VOD content, cast and crew
information for the VOD content, audience rating information for
the VOD content, and recommendation information regarding the VOD
content.
4. A method, comprising aggregating metadata describing
video-on-demand (VOD) content available for download via the
Internet from multiple disparate content providers, formatting the
metadata according to a common schema used by a VOD electronic
program guide (EPG), and distributing the VOD EPG from a host to
one or more VOD clients, the host being distinct from one or more
content sources from which the VOD content is available for
download by the VOD client.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the host comprises an Internet
host and he VOD EPG is distributed via the Internet.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the VOD EPG is distributed in
response to a request therefor from the VOD client.
7. The method of claim 4, further comprising displaying, by the VOD
client and through a display device communicatively coupled
thereto, the VOD EPG to a viewer.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein only those entries of the VOD EPG
that are associated with VOD content that meets ratings criteria
maintained by the VOD client are displayed.
9. A method of managing digital rights in multimedia, comprising
distributing an electronic program guide (EPG) containing metadata
describing video-on-demand (VOD) content available for download via
the Internet from multiple disparate content providers, and
authorizing, in connection with a download of the VOD content from
an Internet host other than that at which the EPG is available, a
viewing of the VOD content via a VOD client through which the EPG
is accessible.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the VOD EPG is distributed in
response to a request therefor from the VOD client.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The invention relates generally to the fields of video on
demand (VOD) and Electronic Program Guides (EPG). More
specifically, the invention relates to aggregating metadata from
disparate content providers and making an EPG available to VOD
clients from a server other than the one where content is available
for downloading and viewing.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Technology
[0004] A program guide offers its viewers information regarding
what is available for viewing, at what time and which channel is it
on. Creation and transmission of EPGs in multi-channel networks
such as broadcast and pay television networks is well known in the
conventional art. In these networks, EPG metadata is transmitted in
the form of tables (e.g., System Information (SI) Tables of the
Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) standards) to help a client device
assemble a local copy of the program guide.
[0005] Recently, the concept of a broadcast program guide has been
extended to accommodate VOD services. For example in coaxial cable
networks, when a user launches the program guide application
resident on his/her set-top box, information about what is
available on VOD servers is presented. When user selects a program
to watch, content is transferred to the user in a substantially
real time manner, from content servers that are typically operated
and managed by the VOD service provider. Although some content is
cached locally during the display process (e.g., in order to
accommodate the I, B and P pictures of MPEG data transmissions), it
is not accessible to the user to view off-line or at a different
time.
[0006] With the recent advances in computer and telecommunication
technologies, a different content distribution model, namely one
where content is downloaded via the Internet to a local storage
device and viewed at a later time (i.e., the "download-and-view"
model), is emerging as a popular method for content distribution.
For this new distribution model, some EPG requirements have stayed
the same as for the conventional VOD services. These requirements
include, for example, being able to convey details about the
content such as the cast, story line, content advisory rating, and
so on. However, a new set of requirements has also arisen. This
includes, without limitation, the need to know the network location
of the content, whether the content has already been downloaded to
local storage for viewing; and, if such downloading has not yet
been completed, when downloading is expected to be finished such
that the content will become available for viewing, and so on.
[0007] The large number of content providers who could contribute
content and program information to such a download-and-view
service, the dynamic nature of the content, and the need to
add/remove entries frequently from the database of content guide
information cannot be addressed by conventional methods for
assembling and distributing EPGs.
[0008] Moreover, for a download-and-view VOD service, the guide
should also provide sufficient information for a client device to
obtain not only the requested content but also information
regarding the location of servers where a license for viewing the
content can be obtained.
[0009] Based on the foregoing, it will be evident that while the
prior art has in general recognized the utility of EPGs, it lacks a
method to adequately address many of the requirements and
intricacies associated with deploying and using such guides in the
field of download and view VOD.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention addresses the foregoing needs by
providing, in various embodiments, a method and apparatus for
creation and distribution of an EPG that includes metadata
describing VOD content available for download via the Internet to a
VOD client. This content is available from multiple disparate
content sources, one or more of which are unique from an Internet
host of a VOD system at which the EPG is made available for
retrieval by the VOD client. The metadata is aggregated from
content providers associated with the VOD content and formatted
according to a common schema for presentation within the EPG. The
metadata may include pricing information, titles for the VOD
content, cast and crew information for the VOD content, audience
rating information for the VOD content, and recommendation
information regarding the VOD content.
[0011] In a second aspect of the invention, a method of aggregating
metadata describing VOD content available for download via the
Internet from multiple disparate content providers is provided. The
method further includes formatting the metadata according to a
common schema used by a VOD EPG, and distributing the VOD EPG from
a host to one or more VOD clients, the host being distinct from one
or more content sources from which the VOD content is available for
download by the VOD client. In one exemplary embodiment, the host
is an Internet host and the EPG is distributed via the Internet. In
another exemplary embodiment, the EPG is distributed in response to
a request therefor from a VOD client. A further method to display
the EPG through a display device communicatively coupled to the VOD
client is provided.
[0012] In a third aspect of the invention, a method of managing
digital rights in multimedia viewing, including distributing an EPG
containing metadata describing VOD content available for download
via the Internet from multiple disparate content providers, and
authorizing, in connection with a download of the VOD content from
an Internet host other than that at which the EPG is available is
disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method
further includes distributing the VOD EPG in response to a request
therefor from the VOD client.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and other features and advantages of the present
invention are hereinafter described in the following detailed
description of illustrative embodiments to be read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings and figures, wherein like reference
numerals are used to identify the same or similar system parts
and/or method steps, and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a communication network showing an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention as a system that
includes VOD client device with local storage capability, multiple
content servers and an EPG server, all communicatively coupled to
each other through the network.
[0015] FIG. 2 overlays on the communication network of FIG. 1
details of signals exchanged among different network elements in an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. These signals
include messages exchanged for creation of a program guide, content
discovery and content download.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing steps
taken according to the present invention to aggregate program
guide, provide it to a client device, monitor accuracy of the guide
entries and obtain a license to view the content after finishing
its download.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates in details the step of obtaining a
license to view content as per an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. The illustration shows messages exchanged among
a VOD client device, VOD servers and license manager servers to
download and view content.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals
refer to like parts throughout. Described herein is an aggregated
program guide for use in connection with downloading multimedia
content to a personal video client device. The present invention
overcomes the limitations of above-described systems, in part by
providing an EPG that includes metadata describing VOD content
available for download via the Internet to a VOD client. This
content is available from multiple disparate content sources, one
or more of which are unique from an Internet host of a VOD system
at which the EPG is made available for retrieval by the VOD client.
The metadata is aggregated from content providers associated with
the VOD content and formatted according to a common schema for
presentation within the EPG. The metadata may include pricing
information, titles for the VOD content, cast and crew information
for the VOD content, audience rating information for the VOD
content, and recommendation information regarding the VOD
content.
[0019] As used herein, the terms "content" and "program" are used
substantially similarly and refer to audio, video, graphics files
(in uncompressed or compressed format), icons, software, text files
and scripts, data, binary files and other computer-usable data used
to operate a client device and produce desired audio-visual effects
on a client device for the viewer.
[0020] As used herein, the term "VOD" is meant to include on-demand
delivery of content.
[0021] As used herein, the term "client device" is meant to include
any manner of computer-based equipment capable of being
communicatively coupled to one or more content sources (e.g., via
the Internet and an applicable communication device such as a
modem) to download multimedia content to a local computer-readable
medium for later playback through a display device. The display
device may, but need not, be integral to the client device. Often,
the client device will be a set-top box.
[0022] As used herein, the term "content provider" refers to a
person or business entity that makes multimedia content available
to the users of a VOD service. No particular assumptions about a
business relationship between the content provider and the VOD
service provider are critical to the present invention. Content
providers may, in some instances, be large commercial enterprises
such as movie studios, television broadcasters and the like. In
other cases, the content providers may be individuals, small
businesses, independent movie producers and so on. Thus, the term
content provider is used generally to describe any person or entity
that wishes to make content (and particularly audio-video content)
available to others. Often, though not necessarily, the content
will be made available for a fee.
[0023] As used herein, the term "VOD service provider" refers to a
commercial entity that provides an end user a VOD service including
the ability to browse through available program titles, download
content of interest and view it. As was the case for the content
provider, the VOD service provider can be any form of entity or an
individual. In general, the VOD service provider need not be a
network facilitator. For example, where the Internet is used as the
distribution channel for the content, the VOD service provider need
not be an Internet service provider, network operator or associated
with any form of network infrastructure provision. Instead, the VOD
service provider may operate one or more Internet hosts configured
to provide the program guide described below and to facilitate the
distribution of metadata regarding content available for download
to end users thereof. Often, though not necessarily, the VOD
service provider will operate Internet hosts from which the content
is available for download, however, this is not critical to the
present invention. The VOD service may make use of special or
general purpose computer systems configured to download and display
the Internet content using any of a variety of communication and
presentation applications. The precise nature of such application
programs and, indeed, the nature of the computer systems on which
the content is played back is not critical to the present
inventions except insofar as the discussion below indicates.
[0024] In view of the above, it should be appreciated that some
portions of the detailed description that follows are presented in
terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on
data within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and
representations are the means used by those skilled in the computer
science arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work
to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,
conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a
desired result. The steps are those requiring physical
manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not
necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or
magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,
compared and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at
times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these
signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms,
numbers or the like. It should be borne in mind, however, that all
of these and similar terms are to be associated with the
appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels
applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise,
it will be appreciated that throughout the description of the
present invention, use of terms such as "processing", "computing",
"calculating", "determining", "displaying" or the like, refer to
the action and processes of a computer system, or similar
electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data
represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer
system's registers and memories into other data similarly
represented as physical quantities within the computer system
memories or registers or other such information storage,
transmission or display devices.
[0025] The present invention can be implemented with an apparatus
to perform the operations described herein. This apparatus may be
specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise
a general-purpose computer, selectively activated or reconfigured
by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer
program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such
as, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks,
optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only
memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs,
magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for
storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer
system bus.
[0026] The algorithms and processes presented herein are not
inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus.
Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in
accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to
construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required
method. For example, any of the methods according to the present
invention can be implemented in hard-wired circuitry, by
programming a general-purpose processor or by any combination of
hardware and software. One of ordinary skill in the art will
immediately appreciate that the invention can be practiced with
computer system configurations other than those described below,
including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems,
microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, DSP
devices, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the
like. The invention can also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices
that are linked through a communications network. The required
structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the
description below.
[0027] The methods of the present invention may be implemented
using computer software. If written in a programming language
conforming to a recognized standard, sequences of instructions
designed to implement the methods can be compiled for execution on
a variety of hardware platforms and for interface to a variety of
operating systems. In addition, the present invention is not
described with reference to any particular programming language. It
will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be
used to implement the teachings of the invention as described
herein. Furthermore, it is common in the art to speak of software,
in one form or another (e.g., program, procedure, application,
etc.), as taking an action or causing a result. Such expressions
are merely a shorthand way of saying that execution of the software
by a computer causes the processor of the computer to perform an
action or produce a result.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Download-and-View VOD Service
[0028] FIG. 1 shows an example deployment of a download-and-view
VOD service deployment showing a client device with local storage
capability (100). This client device is communicatively coupled
with multiple servers via a network 102. These servers include the
content provider's servers 104 (including, but not limited to, file
transfer servers, licensing servers, web servers and so on), the
VOD service provider's content servers 106 and the VOD service
provider's one or more servers (108) on which an aggregated program
guide is made available for download. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a
computer system (110) such as a user's personal computer that is
communicatively connected to the servers. Using this connection to
the various servers, a VOD subscriber can perform one or more of
same tasks that he/she can perform using the client device (e.g.,
but not limited to, content discovery, account management etc.). A
method of managing the client device through such a computer system
is disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______
(Attorney Docket No. 7177P002) entitled "Method and apparatus for
management of video on demand client device" filed ______, 2004,
assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated
herein by reference.
[0029] FIG. 2 overlays on the servers and client device of FIG. 1
details of high level communication performed in the
download-and-view VOD service. Note that the details of
communication are not meant to be exhaustive, but are included to
enable readers to more fully appreciate various aspects of the
present invention. Communication link 200 represents communication
between a content provider's servers and the VOD client device for
tasks such as, but not limited to, download of content, digital
rights authentication and content discovery. Similarly,
communication link 202 represents communication between the VOD
client device and the VOD service provider's servers that includes
tasks such as, but not limited to, download of EPG data, content
download, subscription and account management and so on. As noted
before, some or all of this communication can also be performed
between the VOD service provider's servers and a VOD service user's
computer system (such as a PC) 110 different from the client device
100. Another communication link 204 shown between content
provider's servers and the VOD service provider's servers
represents communications such as, but not limited to, business
transactions between the two entities, uploading of content
metadata, transfer of content for hosting or reviewing purposes and
so on.
[0030] In the rest of this disclosure, these communications, along
with other details of the present invention, are described in more
details.
Content Discovery
[0031] While the combination of Internet connectivity and local
storage available at client device 100 provides the technical
feasibility to distribute Internet content, the task of searching
for and downloading such content from the myriad of content
providers that exist today remains a cumbersome process and,
indeed, one that begins to become unmanageable as the number of
websites of interest to a user grows. Even when the download
process is partially automated (e.g., using techniques such as
bookmarks and auto-updates), content searches still must be
performed manually. Because of these and other complications, even
if users find content of interest, it remains difficult to make
purchasing decisions without further information such as a program
guide, reviews, content advisory ratings, charges and credibility
of the content provider.
[0032] With the availability of an aggregated guide as described
herein, a user is able to browse through a single source using
various methods, such as a parental ratings filter, keyword
searches in the description, content available on special
promotions, recommendations from other users, etc.
[0033] It should be noted that while the aggregated guide is
envisioned to be the most common method by which users search and
discover content, it is not the only method. Content could be
discovered by users while being connected to the network via a
connection other than their VOD client device. For example, a user
may come upon content of interest while browsing the Internet.
[0034] Since a client device used for the download-and-view service
has local storage capability, some programs displayed on the EPG
could in fact be located entirely or in part on the local storage.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, such programs
are indicated in a visually different style than programs currently
on a server connected to the network and available for download.
Various embodiments of such visual differentiation are possible,
including but not limited to, different color, font, size,
transparency of graphics, arrangement of locally available titles
as a separate screen or web page that the user navigates to, and so
on. Similarly, in another embodiment of the present invention,
programs that are partially downloaded can also be displayed in a
visually distinct style including information such as time to
completion, percent downloaded, and so on.
Aggregation of Program Guide Related Metadata
[0035] An aggregated program guide provides a convenient way for a
user to perform content discovery. For example, consider that the
aggregated guide is a comprehensive database of all possible user
selections, and each user uses a "filter" based on his/her personal
preferences to view some or all entries of this database. FIG. 3
shows various steps taken in performing such aggregation of
metadata related to all programs available to a user for
downloading and viewing, further described below in detail.
Push Pull Methods of Aggregation
[0036] As shown in step 300, program guide metadata could be
submitted to the EPG server (e.g., using mechanisms such as the
provider console disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ filed ______, 2004 assigned to the assignee of the present
invention and incorporated herein by reference) or could be
obtained by the server using a mechanism to search for such data
(302). The former method is called a "push model" of EPG metadata
aggregation and the latter method is called a "pull model."
Metadata could be "pulled" from content providers that have
business relationship with the VOD service provider, or from
network locations that maintain content which periodically changes
(e.g., news programs).
Metadata Reformatting
[0037] Data thus obtained is optionally re-formatted in step 304.
Program guide metadata is obtained using various data transfer
methods such as e-mail, file transfer protocol (ftp) programs, or
web interface (for example, the above-referenced provider console).
Each content provider could have used different syntax and software
tools to create their metadata. The re-formatting is done with two
important goals in mind. First, to achieve visual and semantic
uniformity. In one embodiment this involves performing one or more
of the following steps:
[0038] Font, colors, graphics, icons etc. used according to rules
of publishing
[0039] Spelling convention (e.g., U.S. English)
[0040] Creation of consistent content advisory ratings
[0041] Currency translation for viewing charges
[0042] The second goal is to make sure EPG metadata is converted to
a format that enables easy repurposing and search of the metadata
(for example, support for various ways of searching such data by
embedding bookmarks). This step involves creation of a searchable
database from the metadata obtained by the push and pull methods.
This step could optionally fill in some fields of the metadata that
have not been explicitly filled by the content providers (e.g.,
automatically providing a content provider's logo).
Metadata Review
[0043] Step 306 shows a review step based on content metadata thus
aggregated. This optional step can be manual or automated or both.
In one embodiment, control is provided for a human operator to
review and accept, accept with modification or reject with comments
the entries of the EPG. Such a manual review step could provide a
level of confidence to the user in making a decision to purchase
content.
[0044] If in the review process, an entry is deemed to be
unacceptable for inclusion in the program guide (306), it is
removed from the database of available programs (310) and an
appropriate corrective action is taken (e.g., notification to the
content provider). Otherwise, the entry is added to the program
guide (312).
Broken URLs
[0045] A program thus made available in the program guide will be
downloadable by a user for viewing (314). This program may be
hosted on a server under the control of the VOD service provider,
the content provider or a third-party server communicatively
connected to the VOD client. The guide therefore contains
sufficient information for the VOD client to locate and download
the content selected by the viewer. Various mechanisms are possible
to provide such information. In one embodiment, such information is
provided as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the network
location of the content.
[0046] In an exemplary implementation, such download is performed
under the control of a download manager residing on a client device
(e.g., the "fetcher" mechanism disclosed in the co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/928,451 (Attorney Docket. No.
7177P001) entitled "Method and apparatus for downloading content"
filed Aug. 27, 2004, assigned to the assignee of the present
invention and incorporated herein by reference). A key feature of
the fetcher mechanism referenced above is that it maintains
periodic communication between the client device on which it is
running and the VOD service provider's servers. When the download
manager is not able to download content from a URL entry in the
guide metadata, the error is cached (316) as a message to be sent
back to the VOD service provider. Broken URLs are notified at the
next possible periodic communication between the download manager
and the VOD service provider's servers. In another exemplary
embodiment, the review process 306 includes a step to ensure
validity of the URL provided for program by providing means of
program review.
Digital Rights Management
[0047] When a program entry is added to the EPG database, as
described above, information regarding viewing rights is included
to help track and bill download and viewing for the content. In one
exemplary embodiment, a content provider is given the following
three choices to choose from: use their DRM and host content on a
server of their choice, use their DRM but have the VOD service
provider host the content or use the VOD service provider's DRM and
content servers. Various other distribution and DRM modes are
possible.
[0048] In one exemplary embodiment, when content is successfully
downloaded (316), the client device goes on to obtain a license to
view the content (320). When this transaction is completed such
content can then be viewed without the need to have a connection to
the network. For example, a VOD subscriber could download content,
complete the DRM authentication step 320, then un-plug the device
from the network, and yet still be able to view the content.
Viewing License and Authentication
[0049] One implementation of step 320 includes the client device
communicating with a license manager hosted either by the VOD
service provider or by the content provider (or a business partner
thereof).
[0050] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a download-and-view
VOD system that includes an aggregated program guide and processes
for digital rights management.
[0051] The client device 400 receives the aggregated program guide
from the server 402 labeled in FIG. 4 as "VOD user database." Among
other things, this functional unit is responsible for receiving
guide requests from users, verifying that the users are authorized
to receive the content and/or other materials requested and sending
out the aggregated guide to the users. When a user wants to
purchase a program for downloading and viewing, a message 420
titled "1. Buy request` is sent the VOD service. Such a request may
be initiated by a user in response to reading about the content in
the aggregated program guide. The content itself may be downloaded
from any host, including a host that is not managed by the VOD
service provider (as shown by connector 424 titled "2. Download")
such as content file server 412, based on the URL indicated in the
program guide. In another embodiment (for example in an embodiment
where the content provider chooses to host content at the VOD
service provider's servers), this download may be performed from a
VOD content server 406 managed by the VOD service provider.
Depending on the embodiment, content being downloaded may or may
not be encrypted. Furthermore, the download could be performed
using a secure connection (e.g. SSL) and authentication (e.g.,
password protection).
[0052] When the download is completed, the client device 400 sends
a request (shown by connector 428 titled "3. Licenses request") to
the content provider's license manager to get a license to view the
downloaded content. Upon receiving this request, the license
manager queries its database (connector 432, labeled "4. check") to
verify that the requesting user is authorized to watch the
requested content. In some embodiments, this query will further
result in a query 436 titled "5. Purchase validation" from the
content provider to the VOD service provider's user database. The
VOD service provider's user database may in turn need to check via
a query 440 titled "6. check rights" to make sure the requesting
user has viewing privileges for the requested program. Once an
appropriate confirmation is returned to the applicable license
manager, the user receives his/her authorization to view the
content (that is, an appropriate license key is provided to the VOD
client, as shown by connector 444 titled "7. License grant"). In an
exemplary embodiment, after receiving viewing authorization, the
user may disconnect the VOD client from the network and yet still
be able to view the content, until such time as the license key
authorization expires (e.g., after expiration of time or number of
viewings allowed).
[0053] In some embodiments, when the license to view content is
issued based on an expiration date, the VOD server may issue a
command to the client device upon expiration of the license to
delete the corresponding content from the client device's local
storage. Alternatively, or in addition, if the client device logs
indicate that the user has not yet viewed this content, the client
device may be configured to automatically renew the license (or
obtain a new license) so that the viewer is not unnecessarily
inconvenienced.
[0054] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof.
It will, however, be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art
that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without
departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set
forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are,
accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a
restrictive sense and it should be understood that the following
claims including all equivalents are intended to define the scope
of the invention.
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